Fresh Forks Friday 495 | 4 new bouncy forks in time for Spring!

Hey, listen up! We know we had to remind you last week when it got to Friday, but now it’s Friday again and you should know that it’s Friday, because you’re sat at home, enjoying some time off – so, completely different to last week… oh, OK then. Anyway, it’s Friday and nothing, not even a poxie virus can stop the Fresh Goods steam train when it’s up to speed.

So, grab (another?) refreshing beverage and get ready for this bumper fun pack-sized Fresh Goods Friday. And then you can wander aimlessly around the house in your sweatpants and vest, wondering if it’s too early to start on the sherry.

Hey, is this what being retired is like?

2021 Fox 38

The biggest and burliest single crown suspension fork to date. The Fox 38 boasts an all-new chassis design, 38mm stanchions and a move to VVC damping circuits for both rebound and compression. The new chassis features the new arch for better frame clearance at full compression, new air channels and air bleeders on the backside. Our Fox 38 is a limited-edition Heritage fork and is painted a distinctive Pistachio green.

2021 Fox 36

The new Fox 36 shares a lot of the same features as the 38 including a redesigned chassis for better clearance, new wheel axle design and air bleeders on the rear of the legs. The 2021 Fox 36 is aimed at enduro riders wanting full on performance where as the 38 is aimed at racers and eMTB riders.

This is a limited edition Heritage fork and is painted Root Beer brown, standard forks will come in black or orange just like the current model.

Únic Wear Custom Clothing

Andorran based, Únic will let you design your own riding kit from their online editor tool allowing you to choose colours, styles and even materials. Unlike other custom clothing makers, Únic doesn’t have a minimum order quantity so you can buy a kit for yourself or your entire team, and all clothing is manufactured at their factory in the EU.

Special phone pocket.

Micro-adjust waist.

The personal touch.

We’re right in the middle of testing the Únic Signature range kit now so watch out for that coming sometime in the next week.

Updatded RockShox Lyrik

The Lyrik isn’t all-new for 2021, in fact, it shares a lot with the previous model, but an updated to the Debonair air spring makes it easier to set up, and better performing than ever before. The Debonair updated lets the Lyrik sit higher in its travel, while retaining supple small bump performance.

We have first look details and video of the updated 2021 RockShox Lyrik here.

Updated RockShox Pike Ultimate

As featured elsewhere on the website, the new Pike Ultimate is a slightly improved version of the existing Pike, only with a newly tweaked DebonAir air piston to keep the fork riding high in its travel more.

VeeTire Snap Trail

Andi tested the VeeTire Snap Trail and posted a review a few weeks ago, but he enjoys this Thai rubber so much he asked them to send over a few more pairs. The Snap Trail is based on the tread pattern of the Flow Snap downhill tire but has been tweaked to make if faster rolling and more suitable for trail riding. The tread and super grippy Top 40 compound provides lots of grip too.

VeeTire Flow Snap WCE

The Flow Snap WCE is the bigger downhill brother of the Snap Trail and comes in a large 2.5in sizing. The tread is more aggressive which make is great for muddy and loose conditions, but the sticky Top 40 compound works wonders in the dry too. Andi has been running the Snap WCE as a front tyre with the Snap Trail on the rear, for a great all-round and aggressive package.

Bowen Award Winning Pies

For those of us wanting to put a smile on the face of a friend or family member that we can’t see right now, there’s plenty of ways to do it. Video call, virtual beers together, Singletrack subscription…. or in this case, a big box of pies! Bowen Pies in Wigan allow you to ‘create your perfect pie box’ and deliver them pre-cooked in a temperature controlled box. The perfect treat after doing a workout in your living room.

Osprey Seral hip pack

The Seral pack, from Osprey features 7L of space, with a 1.5L ‘Hydraulics’ reservoir. There are two sizeable hip pockets for easy snack and tool access and there’s room in the two big zipped pockets in the main compartment for a light jacket, pump, tube and all that business. Comes in black too for the shy. And incidentally, Osprey is sponsoring the Trek team this year (Tracy Moseley has been a fan for years).

Shimano XC501

These are the latest, shall we call them ‘fast trail’ shoes from Shimano. They’re not super carbon slippers, nor jump bike or BMX race specials. They’re nylon soled for some walking comfort, toe stud compatibility and a BOA dial for getting the fit right. We’ll be seeing more of these later in the month.

Specialized Enduro Pro Clothing

No, Chipps isn’t doing terrible magic, he’s modelling the latest Enduro Pro Shorts and Air short sleeve jersey. The jersey is a smart, super light material job with minimal features. The Pro Shorts have two front thigh pockets and a side pocket for accessing the thigh pocket in compatible Specialized SWAT bib shorts. Randomly, though, the included liner shorts that come with the Pro Shorts don’t actually have a pocket on them, so the zip just goes to nowhere. Don’t put your phone in it, kids!

Park Tool Sliding Hex and Torx T-handle sets

So shiny – and the black ends will get stubborn bolts out.So, what fits a T6 then?

Here are two sets to keep tool-junkies happy. The T-handle hex key set includes the following hex keys: 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10mm. Each T-handle has a sliding head for better reach or leverage, and they all include a ‘Speed Spinner’ sleeve that allows for swift spinning of bolts on and off. The hex set also includes a tapered, twisted ‘Strip Gripper’ set that should shift the stubbornest of rounded heads.

There’s a Torx set too, with T6, T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T30 and T40 Torx, again with the Speed Spinner handles. Both sets include a quick-access wall mount for the sets, or you can buy individual ones, but you won’t get the hanger.

Let’s keep in touch

By ticking the box below we can send you our weekly story digests featuring editorials from Chipps and even the chance to be one of Charlie’s merch winners.

All that remains is for us to wish you a pleasant, peaceful and safe Easter, whatever you’re doing. Look out for one another, both out there and online. We’ll see you on the other side.

And it seems like a good time to send you off with perhaps Donald Sutherland’s greatest ever role.

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Not that I could afford £’TBA’ for a new set of forks right now, but if I could I think I’d be avoiding Pistachio Green. Those forks look out of date already. The root beer just about gets away with maybe being ‘retro’ in a 1970’s Smokey and the Bandit way, but Pistachio? No!